Date:         Mon, 7 Oct 2002 23:41:29 -0700
Reply-To:     Craig Oda's Personal email <craig@ODA-INC.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Craig Oda's Personal email <craig@ODA-INC.NET>
Subject:      Low Oil Pressure
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I have been in a love-hate battle with my 83.5 Westy for about a year.
Right now my oil pressure light is flickering red at low idle and when
I'm driving.  BTW, please respond to craig@oda-inc.net as my other
email doesn't appear to work.

I'm using 20W-50 and using black german filters that come in the yellow
and green box.  I think these are Mahles. I've replaced the oil
pressure switch and the wiring that connects it to the wiring harness.
I've cleaned out my oil pressure relief valve.  I've noticed that there
is some rough edges if I stick my fingers in there and also, only a
trickle of oil came out when I removed the plunger.  However, it
appears to slide in and out easily.  I've got some oil leaking under
the van, but not so much that I have to put new oil in all the time.

I haven't put an oil pressure gauge on it, so I don't know what the
actual pressure is.  The problem only occurs when the engine is hot.

Should I be thinking of an overhaul, or is there some other things I
should be thinking about?  I just replaced the transmission at a shop
and did the cylinder heads myself.  So, I don't particularly want to do
an engine overhaul.  I just want to drive the beast.

thanks for any advice.

Craig

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